BLOOMING BEAUTIFUL We’re planning our florals for our autumn wedding; how can we keep the costs down? Flowers are a vital part of wedding décor! A bridal bouquet is seen as an extension of the wedding outfit, making a statement as the bride walks down the aisle. Many flowers bloom all year round, such as roses and chrysanthemums. Opting for some in-season flowers is the best option to get the most from your florals and budget. These are often always suited to seasonal colour schemes and produce the best show during your big event. Autumn brings a gorgeous variety of flowers that reflect the rich, warm hues as the season changes. Dahlias are one of the most versatile flowers, coming in different shapes and sizes, meaning they can be used as a focal point in a bouquet or as a supporting stem. Celebrate the autumn season and pay homage to golden hour by opting for strong orange and peach-toned florals. Symbolising grace and beauty, hydrangeas are a classic choice, especially in white and cream. These domeshaped blooms come in pink, green, blue and purple for bolder colours, perfect for adding creative flair to a bouquet while keeping things classic. Astrantia flowers feature delicate petals surrounded by a greenish-white centre. These soft and whimsical flowers are ideal for filling a bouquet and come in various colours, including pink and red. You can’t get more classic than a rose. Whether a single red rose mixed in a bunch or a bountiful bouquet full of white roses, these wedding favourites symbolise love and romance while matching any other flowers or colour schemes. Dani Turner | Bunches | www.bunches.co.uk FINDING THE ONE When should I start looking for a wedding dress, and do you have any advice on how to go about my search? Start your search at least 10 to 12 months before your wedding date to allow ample time for browsing and trying dresses. Before stepping into a bridal boutique, gather inspiration by creating a mood board to give you a clearer idea and help the team understand your vision. A clear budget will help you be transparent with bridal consultants to ensure they show dresses within your price range. Schedule appointments at bridal boutiques to try on dresses in person. Keep the guest count to a minimum, as too many opinions can quickly become overwhelming and confusing. Understanding your body type and personal style is critical to finding a dress that flatters your figure. Research different dress silhouettes and try on styles to see what suits your body shape the best. Dresses often look different on the hanger than they do on you. A style you hadn’t considered might end up being your perfect match. If you can’t stop thinking about a particular gown and can imagine yourself walking down the aisle in it, you’re likely onto a winner. Most wedding dresses require some level of alteration to ensure a perfect fit. Remember to allocate funds for this. Lisa Owens | Beau Belles | www.beaubellesuk.com www.justinalexander.com GROOMS ATTIRE What advice can you share to help us find the perfect wedding attire for our autumnal wedding? The most essential thing in most cases is communication about the wedding style. At Stringfellows, we invite couples to come to the first appointment so we can ask questions about colour schemes, flowers and the venue to discover all about their special day. This way, we can get a vision of the wedding and subsequently suggest different styles or colours to bring the whole vision together. It’s essential to get an appointment booked with your chosen suit supplier as soon as possible to avoid the disappointment of not getting exactly what you want. Pick your suit provider based on the garments, but also consider their communication and your relationship with them. Will they support you until the big day, or is it a fit-and-go scenario? Stephanie Stringfellow Stringfellows Gentlemen’s Outfitters www.stringfellowsoutfitters.co.uk 70
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